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Tag: Senate president

  • TRYING TIMES for the Senate President

    THE Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, is one politician with a lot to put in his memoir whenever he decides to write one. He came into political limelight with the influence of his father, the late Senator Olusola Saraki a.k.a. Oloye, who in his days was regarded as the kingmaker in Kwara politics.

    Having installed many governors in the state because of his grassroots popularity, it was not surprising that his son, Bukola, defeated the sitting governor, Muhammed Lawal, who was also a protégée of the senior Saraki. Not surprisingly, Bukola’s profile continued on the ascendancy after his eight-year tenure as governor.

    He was elected a senator in 2011 and got re-elected in 2015, following which he became the Senate president. However, Saraki’s tenure as Senate President has been enmeshed in controversies.

    Not a few people believe that the integrity of the office of the number three citizen has been lowered with various allegations against him bordering on crime. For instance, his name is currently being linked with some members of the robbery gang that recently attacked about five banks in Offa, Kwara State on April 5, killing no fewer than 33 people, including policemen and pregnant women.

    The police claimed that some of the suspects had said in their confessional statements that some of the arms and vehicles they used for the operation were given to them by Saraki because they were his political thugs.

    But Saraki has since dismissed the allegations as baseless, urging Nigerians to regard them as another ploy by the police, whose Inspector General, Ibrahim Idris, he has had a running battle with, to implicate him by all means.

    His position was shared by Kwara State governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, who was co-accused with Saraki. Ahmed said the state government could not be held responsible for the actions of some youths who chose to deploy their empowerment wrongly.

    Curiously, prominent Kwara indigenes disagreed with the opinions expressed by Saraki and Ahmed. Instead, they have expressed support for the police in the ongoing investigation and have called on Saraki to respond to the allegations levelled against him in order to clear his name.

    For instance, Dr Amuda Aluko, an elder statesman, said it would be better for the Senate President to respond to the police if only to clear his name. Aluko, the Tafida of Ilorin, who expressed the belief that Saraki would never be involved in robbery, however, said it had become expedient for the embattled Senate President to clear his name since he was allegedly mentioned by the suspects as their backer.

    He said his Kwara Liberation Group had earlier urged Nigerians to allow the police do their job in the case of the suspects transferred from the state to Abuja. Another indigene of Ilorin and former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Suleiman Abubakar, is also of the view that the Senate President should honour police invitation if he has no skeleton in his cupboard. According to him, the suspects’ claim that they have links with the Senate President should be an opportunity for the latter to clear his name.

    On his part, Prof. Abdulwahab Egbewole of the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin warned against politicising the lives of Nigerians. According to him, the police have the right by law to investigate anybody.

    He recalled that from the alleged confession of the Offa robbery suspects, Saraki gave them one of the vehicles that they used for the robbery operation. They also alleged that he gave them guns but said he did not tell them to rob. According to Egbewole, Saraki’s alleged action would be seen “as being an accessory to a particular crime in law.”

    The PDP chairman in Kwara State, Mr Iyiola Oyedepo, said it is imperative for the Senate President to answer the following questions in order to clear his name: Did he give the robbery suspects vehicles?

    Did he provide them guns? Are they his political thugs? Oyedepo called on the people of Kwara State to rise up and demand justice so that the case would not be compromised. “Nobody is above the law whether you are rich or poor.

    The law is no respecter of anybody. I will advise the Senate President to honour the invitation and clear the mess,” he said. Indeed, since he outwitted his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on June 9, 2015 by forming an alliance with members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to become the Senate President against his party’s preferred candidate, Saraki has been enmeshed in one controversy or another.

    He had shunned a meeting the APC senators had with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, and while the meeting was on, Saraki and PDP senators assembled in the Senate chamber to elect the principal officers.

    Believing that a quorum was formed, the Clerk of the National Assembly commenced both the election and inauguration while the APC senators were still at the State House with Mr President.

    Thus, Saraki was elected Senate President with a PDP senator, Ike Ekweremadu, as Deputy Senate President. Saraki laid the unenviable record of being the first sitting Senate President to be docked.

    He was docked first at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over allegation of false asset declaration when he was the governor of Kwara State. Saraki was discharged and acquitted of all counts charge by the tribunal, but the Federal Government appealed the judgment while the appellate court reversed the judgment and asked the CCT to re-try him on three of the charges.

    The matter is pending before the Supreme Court. Saraki was also docked alongside the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, former Clerk to the National Assembly Salisu Maikasuwa and the Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly Mr Ben Efeturi over alleged forgery of the Senate rules.

    Saraki’s name was also mentioned in the Panama scandal in which it was alleged that four of his assets were tucked away in secret off shore territories. He refuted the allegation through his media aide.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it would investigate the matter, but nothing has been heard about it.

    The Saraki-led Senate drew the ire of the public when it bought 108 Toyota Land Cruiser Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) at double the market price for its members at a time the nation’s economy was in recess.

    The Senate took delivery of 36 out of 108 vehicles ordered. As a result of the uproar that trailed the acquisition of the vehicles, nothing has been heard about the remaining 72. Soon after he assumed office as Senate President in 2015, Saraki promised to make public the National Assembly budget.

    Three years into the life of the Eighth Senate, Saraki is yet to fulfil the promise. However, Senator Shehu Sani had let the cat out of the bag when he gave details of the senator’s earnings.

    According to him, a senator receives N13.5 million monthly allowance and N750,000 as salary every month. The Senate spokesman confirmed the figures. The Saraki-led Senate also drew widespread criticisms over the 2016 budget. At a stage, the Senate President had declared the budget presented by President Muhammadu Buhari missing.

    But while the nation was still grappling with the news of missing budget, reports emerged that there were two versions of the budget in circulation with different contents.

    The controversy over the budget got to a climax when the President refused to sign into law the copy transmitted to him by the National Assembly. Realising that the budget had been padded by lawmakers at the National Assembly, Buhari insisted that the unnecessary additions to the budget sums be removed before it was eventually signed into law on May 6, 2016, almost seven months after it was presented to the National Assembly.

  • Offa Robbery: Civil Society Coalition demands Saraki’s resignation

    A coalition of some Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in the country on Friday demanded immediate resignation of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki from office over his alleged link with robbers who were involved in the bank robbery in Offa, Kwara state.

    The CSO said Saraki should also face the music for the non-declaration of his assets and alleged killings of over 33 people in Kwara State by his political thugs.

    The group under the umbrella of Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance and Democracy, recalled that Saraki’s corruption trial with the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT,  on alleged non-assets declaration was still on-going,  insisting that the path of honour for the Senate President is for him to step down to clear his name.

    Addressing Journalists in Abuja, Convener of the group, Alhaji Adamu Kabiru, who led other groups comprising labour unions, trade unions and Joint Action Committee, JAC, to the event, tasked members of the 8th Senate to do the needful by immediately impeaching Saraki as Senate President should he fail to resign.

    Read Also:Offa robbery: Kwarans in heated debate over Saraki-police rift

    According to the group it is about time the National Assembly members bring sanity and restoration of the lost glory to the upper chamber in particular.

    The coalition lamented that Nigeria has become a laughing stock in the international community in view of the many corruption cases involving its number three citizen in government. It accused the Senate President of seeking revenge against President Muhammadu Buhari and some appointees in the crime and anti-corruption agencies.

    It described as unfortunate the fact that Saraki’s National Assembly was threatening President Buhari with impeachment following his latest problem with the Nigeria Police.

    “For Dr Saraki to threaten President Buhari with impeachment only because the police rightly invited him is the height of arrogance, and abuse of office and disrespect for the rule of law.

    “It is therefore, our considered view that the President of the Senate be impeached immediately and until this done, he will continue to hold to ransom the entire country and her development, “Kabiru said.

    Kabiru further said: “We are gathered here to affirm that for good governance and democracy to thrive, Saraki must excuse the Senate as their president and face his multiple criminal cases ranging from, financial crimes, to abuse of office, robbery, non-declaration of assets and sponsorship of militia in Kwara State.

    “I am constrained to bring to your notice that the police have invited the Senate President to offer clarifications on the level of his involvement with the Offa robbery and allegations of arms purchase to militia.

    “To this end, how then will Dr Saraki continue to stay in office as President of the Senate?  It has never been this bad for our country, ”

    Kabiru who led Mrs. Sharon N Opara from Trade Unions, Bisong Jonathan from Labour Unions and Femi Abbas from Joint Action Committee to the event, said: “To worsen the situation and to the greatest dismay and disappointment of Nigerians, the Senate President a few days ago masterminded a joint sitting of the National Assembly to muster and nurture the impeachment of President Buhari.

    “He led the joint sitting to reel out a number of conditions for the president to avert imminent impeachment; this is the height of folly, immaturity, mischief, treason, callous and gross abuse of office by Dr Saraki.

    “Interestingly, all this shenanigans are made possible by virtue of his influence as President of the Senate.

    “I am inclined to have it on good authority that the Dr Saraki has plans to use the instrumentality of the National Assembly to become the president of the country.  This ambition has been made public and needs no further microscopic lens for confirmation.’”

  • Senate rescinds confirmation of Buhari’s INEC nominee

    The Senate Thursday rescinded its confirmation of Elder Monday Udo Tom as Resident Electoral Commissioner from Akwa Ibom State.

    Over turning the confirmation of Tom followed a motion by Senator Bassey Albert Apkan.

    The Akwa Ibom North East senator in the motion prayed the upper chamber to take a second look at the confirmation of the nominee.

    Akpan said that his motion to rescind the confirmation of Tom became necessary because it was obvious that the Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission that screened the nominee and gave him a clean bill of health did not take recourse to a weighty petition against him.

    He said, “I have the report of the committee; there is no indication that the petition against the nominee was considered by the committee. The committee failed to take cognizance of the weighty petition against the nominee.

    Read Also:Senate grills two INEC nominees

    “I therefore move that the confirmation of the nominee be stepped down and the nominee referred back to the relevant committee for further legislative action in the interest of fair play.”

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Senator Samuel Anyanwu also told the Senate that his committee received a petition against the nominee.

    Anyanwu (Imo East) said that they were waiting for the INEC committee to conclude it screening for them to consider the petition against the nominee.

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, put the proposal to rescind the confirmation to a voice vote.

    It was unanimously adopted. Saraki referred the nominee to the INEC Committee for further legislative action.

    A source said that the thrust of the petition was that Tom is a disguised member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The nominee is also said to be an aide to former member of the House of Representatives who is now in APC.

  • Offa monarch absolves Senate President 

    The Olofa of Offa, Kwara State, Oba Muftau Gbadamosi, has cautioned the police against sensationalism in the investigation of the April 5 robbery in the ancient town.

    The monarch also absolved Senate President Bukola Saraki of any complicity in the incident.

    Oba Gbadamosi, in a statement by his Principal Private Secretary, Dr Tajudeen Oloyede, said as far as Offa people are concerned, Saraki has taken Offa as his second home, supporting its development projects .

    He added:  ”The Offa people are well bred citizens of Nigeria and we are appreciative of people who have extended hands of fellowship to us.  Dr. Saraki is one of such persons and thus we hold him in high esteem.

    “When the Offa robbery happened, the Senate President was the first top public official to pay a visit to our town and right there in the palace in the glare of the High Chiefs and other well-meaning personalities, the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Saraki put a call to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, requesting him to make necessary security arrangement which our people had long been yearning for.

    “The Senate President also donated substantial money to help some of our people who were in distress as a result of the robbery and he also made substantial contribution towards the building of a new police station.

    “We wish to state that the Senate President is a former Governor of Kwara State and by the grace of God the number three citizen of this country, we will therefore not be a party to attempt to ridicule, embarrass, denigrate and disgrace him.  We know his antecedent, family and political beliefs.

    “We therefore call on the police to be alive to their responsibility and avoid unnecessary sensationalism in the handling of the investigation into the Offa robbery incident.  We will appreciate that this case is thoroughly investigated devoid of media trial and unnecessary and undue publicity.  Our interest remain in the law taking its course against those who unleashed mayhem and violence against our people in order to prevent recurrence of such crime in our society.”

    The statement reads: “The attention of Olofa’s Palace, Offa, the traditional domain of His Royal Majesty, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, Ajagungbade I, the Olofa of Offa has been drawn to the claims made by the police at a press conference in Abuja on 3rd of June, 2018 where some of the suspects arrested in connection with the robbery incidents which occurred in our town in April implicated Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, the Senate President.  While we will not want to prejudice the investigation by the police on this case, the community will appreciate thoroughness to ensure equity and justice on the matter.

    •Some of the suspects

    “As far as we are concerned, Dr. Bukola Saraki has taken Offa as his second home and have been supportive of all our activities and development projects in the town.  The Senate President, always heeded to our call anytime we approach him on any issue concerning the progress and security of our ancient town.  The Offa people are well bred citizen of Nigeria and we are appreciative of people who have extended hands of fellowship to us.  Dr. Saraki is one such person and thus we hold him in high esteem.

    “When the Offa robbery incident happened, the Senate President was the first top public official to pay a visit to our town and right there in the Palace in the glare of the High Chiefs and other well-meaning personalities, the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Saraki put a call to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, requesting him to make necessary security arrangement which our people has long been yearning for.  The Senate President also donated substantial money to help some of our people who were in distress as a result of the robbery incident and he also made substantial contribution towards the building of a new police station.

    “We wish to state that the Senate President is a former Governor of Kwara State and by the grace of God the number three citizen of this country, we will therefore not be a party to attempt to ridicule, embarrass, denigrate and disgrace him.  We know his antecedent, family and political beliefs.

    “We therefore call on the police to be alive to their responsibility and avoid unnecessary sensationalism in the handling of the investigation into the Offa robbery incident.  We will appreciate that this case is thoroughly investigated devoid of media trial and unnecessary and undue publicity.  Our interest remain in the law taking its course against those who unleashed mayhem and violence against our people in order to prevent recurrence of such crime in our society.

    “Offa people will also advise the media both social and traditional mass media to be cautious and refrain from becoming instrument that can be used to tarnish the image of prominent Nigerians most especially the one targeted at the office and person of the Senate President.  We call on the media to also do a proper logical evaluation of any information passed on to them before going public with it.”

  • Senators trade tackles over confirmation of INEC nominees

    …Confirms Festus Okoye as National Electoral Commissioner

     

    There was uneasy Wednesday in the Senate over the confirmation of nominees for appointment for the position of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) resident commissioners.

    This followed the consideration of the report of the Committee on INEC on the screening of nominees for confirmation as Resident Electoral Commissioners.

    Chairman of the committee, Senator Suleiman Nazif (Bauchi North) presented the report of the committee for the consideration of the Senate.

    Trouble started with the recommendation that the nominee from Zamfara State, Ahmad Bello Mahmaud, should be rejected.

    Senator Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara Central) openly accused the screening committee of being heavy compromised to return uncomplimentary comments on Mahmud.

    Marafa insisted that he has it on good authority that the committee was compromised to turn down the nomination of Mahmud.

    He challenged the chairman of the committee to provide the affidavit in support of the petition it claimed to have received against Mahmud.

    Marafa said, “I have evidence that the committee was heavily compromised to write its report. The committee should tender the affidavit in support of the petition it claimed that was written against the nominee.”

    Read Also:Senate faults claim of ‘insubordination’ as cause of rising insecurity

    The Zamfara Central senator said that the state governor, Abdul Azeeze Yari, was behind the attempt to deny the nominee confirmation.

    He noted that contrary to the insinuation that Mahmud was not from Zamfara State, the nominee was born and bred in the state.

    Senator James Manager (Delta South) threw his weight behind Marafa.

    Manager said that as far as he was concerned, the report was incomplete.

    Before Manager could continue, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, raised a point of Order to the effect that it was unparliamentary to input improper motive against any senator.

    Ekweremadu quoted relevant sections of the standing rule of the Senate to buttress his point.

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, agreed and ruled Marafa out of order.

    Saraki asked Marafa to withdraw the “offensive” comments as well as to apologise to Nazif.

    Marafa reluctantly withdrew his comments but refused to apologize to Nazif.

    Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, said that Marafa should not only withdraw his comments that the committee was comprised but also apologize to the committee chairman in his “own interest).

    Na’ Allah reminded Marafa that everything done in the chamber was being recorded.

    Marafa stood his ground and said that he was not prepared to apologize to anybody.

    It was anti-climax for the committee when Saraki put the question.

    The nomination of Mahmud was unanimously adopted by the senate.

    Saraki put the nomination to question for the second time.

    The result was a resounding ‘aye”

    The Senate President had no option than to rule that the “ayes had it”

    There was jubilation in the chamber as some senators rushed to Marafa to congratulate him for his tenacity in ensuring that the nomination of Mahmud was confirmed.

    The confirmation of the nomination of Mahmud as Resident Electoral Commissioner came after two rejections by the Senate.

    The nomination was earlier rejected on the basis of petition that he was from Sokoto State and not Zamfara State.

    Apart from Mahmud, the Senate also confirmed Mr. Monday Udo Tom from Akwa Ibom State and Attahiru Madami from Niger State as Resident Electoral commissioners.

    It also confirmed the nomination of Festus Okoye from Imo State as National Electoral Commissioner representing South East geo Political Zone.

  • Breaking: JOHESU suspends six weeks strike action

    The striking health workers have suspended the six weeks nationwide strike action.

    The suspension is with effect from Thursday, 31st May, 2018.

    The health workers under the umbrella body of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) had proceeded on a nationwide strike action on midnight of 17th April, 2018 following the Federal Government inability to honour agreements between both parties. While the strike action lasted government hospitals were only operating skeletal services, as only serious emergency cases were attended to.

    However, following the intervention of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, the leadership of the unions met Thursday where it was agreed to suspend the strike.

    Read Also:Strike: Court orders FG, JOHESU back to negotiation table

    Announcing the suspension of the strike action at the end of the National Executive Council meeting of the unions held in Abuja, Com. Josiah Biobelemoye, National Chairman, JOHESU said the suspension is to pave way for further negotiations to continue on Monday 4th June 2018.

    Biobelemoye who briefed the media in the present of the president of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Dr. Ayuba Wabbara and other leaders of the unions expressed dismay and the insincerity and unseriousness exhibited at the negotiation table by the Government negotiating team which led to the breakdown of further negotiations and unnecessarily prolonged the strike action.

    He stressed that JOHESU strike actions is neither ill nor politically motivated but in a bid to save the health sector from imminent collapse

    He therefore said that the suspension of the strike action was not as a result of the court injunction but for the sympathy for the people.

    He said, “Due to the intervention of His Excellency, the Senate President, Senator (Dr.) Abubakar Bukola Saraki who through his love for the suffering masses displayed high level of statesmanship and sincerity of purpose by putting some machineries in place with a view to permanently resolving the issues in contention. JOHESU having considered his intervention after holding just two meetings with leadership, where serious progress were made.

    “The various gains from the meetings with His Excellency, the Senate President were presented to the NEC of JOHESU, after an exhaustive deliberations and discussions, the NEC in session approved that the six (6) weeks old strike be suspended this day Thursday, 31st May, 2018 because of the sympathy the Unions have for the suffering Nigerian masses and also to pave way for further negotiations to continue on Monday 4th June, 2018.”

    He also added, “We would like to place on record that JOHESU strike actions is neither ill nor politically motivated but in a bid to save the health sector from imminent collapse.”

    On his part, Wabara assured the unions of the support of the NLC, stressing that it has justified case.

    He noted that there were interventions by people in high places.

    He hoped that there will be fairness and justice going forward between the government and unions.

  • Police warns Saraki against interfering with investigation

    The Police Wednesday expressed shock over the allegation made by the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki that the Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Ibrahim Idris is plotting against him.

    The Police said the claim was an attempt to divert the Police investigation into the killings of more than 11 innocent people from kwara State and other States of the Federation by the killer squad who operate under the guise of a cult group.

    The Police also warned Saraki not to interfere with investigation noting that attempt to do so is an offence.

    The Police while trying to defend its action of transferring the case highlighted some cases that were transferred from State commands to the Force headquarters.

    Read Also:Senate Vs IGP: Police Chief’s Attitude disrespects Nigerians, Democracy – PFN

    It also explained that the transfer was in accordance with Police investigation procedures adding that the IGP had no vested interest in the case.

    This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday by the Force Spokesman, ACP Jimoh Moshood.

    The statement reads: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to Press Statement credited to the Senate President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki of  “Plot against him by IGP”.

    “The Nigeria Police Force is shocked at the unbelievable claims, unverifiable allegations and unfounded accusations being peddled against the IGP by the Senate President, accusing the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris of plot and strategies against him to settle scores.

    “The Force therefore wishes to categorically state that, there is no iota of truth in the allegation and false assertion by the Senate President of plot against him by the IGP to implicate the Kwara State Government and the Senate President in any criminal matter.

    “Until investigation is concluded, any person (s) or group(s) who tries to interfere in the investigation process by action or utterances is committing an offence.”

    Giving more insight about the suspects mentioned by the Senate President, the police said:  “To set the records straight, the Kwara State Police Command on the 11th of May, 2018, paraded the following suspects before the Media and the Public, namely;

    Abolaji Safti Ojulari of Kankatu area, Ilorin,  Lanre  Mohammed Soliu a.k.a Askari of Ile Nda Compound, Ilorin, Azeez Moyaki of Moyaki Compound, Gambari Area Ilorin,  Suleiman Babatunde of Gambari Area, Ilorin,  Yusuf Habeeb of Kangile Village, Kulende, Ilorin and Umar Yahaya of Kangile Village, Kulende,  Ilorin.

    “The suspects admitted and confessed before the press and the public to have killed 11 innocent persons in kwara State and other States of the country.”

    The Police said the suspects confessed to have killed their targets on the instructions of their sponsors.

    Names of some of the victims who were killed in cold blood according to the Police are; “Bukola Ajikobi killed on 18/01/2016 at ajikobi Area in Ilorin,  Azeez Lawal killed in February, 2018 at Oja oba area of Ilorin,  Lateef (Surname unknown) killed February, 2018 at Ode Alfa Nda area of Ilorin,  Jamiu (Surname unknown) killed in February 2018 at Idi ape area, Ilorin and One segun (Surname unknown) killed in September, 2017 at kankatu area of Ilorin.

    Others are: “Wasiu (Surname unknown) killed in September 29, 2016 at Shao garage of Ilorin,  Musiliu (Surname unknown) killed in February, 2018 at Shao Area Ilorin,  Bayo Ajia killed in January 18, 2018 at taiwo Road, Ilorin, Another Lateef killed in January 2016 at Baboko Area of Ilorin,  Abbey a student of Kwara Polytechnic killed in April, 2017 at Niger Road, Ilorin and Lanre (Surname unknown) killed on 23rd August, 2015 at Isale Aluko Area of Ilorin.”

    On why the case was transferred to the Force Headquarters, Moshood said: “Consequent upon the public confessions of these vicious and notorious killer squad to the killings in cold blood of more than 11 innocent people in Kwara State and other States of the Federation, the statutory procedure and practice in the Force is that such a heinous crime and capital offence is transferred to the Force Headquarters for further investigation.

    “This is to enable a thorough and discreet investigation into the crime.”

    On whether the IGP has any special interest in the case, the statement stated: “It is pertinent to state that, there is no vested interest by the Inspector General of Police in the ongoing investigation into the several murders committed by this killer gang, other than ensuring that justice prevails in the matter.

    “Nobody, no matter how highly placed would be allowed to interfere or obstruct Police investigation to pervert the course of justice.”

    On some of the cases transferred to Abuja, Moshood said: “It is also imperative to let the public know that last year, suspects arrested over the mayhem and killings of innocent people in Ile-Ife, Osun State and those arrested in Southern Kaduna crisis in Kaduna State and suspects arrested in connection with Zaki-biam killings in Benue State were all transferred to the Force Headquarters, Abuja for further investigation before they were arraigned in court of competent jurisdiction.

    “Therefore, transferring this hired assassin gang masquerading as cultists in kwara State to Force Headquarters, Abuja for further investigation is in accordance with Police investigation procedures.”

    The Police said the statement credited to the Senate President can discourage living victims and deceased families of those who must have been killed by the gang from coming forward to give evidence against them.

    The Police urged members of the public to disregard and the claim of plot by the IGP against the Senate President as a ruse, unfortunate and an attempt to divert Police investigation into the killings of more than 11 innocent people.

    The Force also said it will leave no stone unturned and will do everything within the ambit of the law to ensure justice in the matter, no matter whose ox is gored.

     

  • Senate endorses attractive investment environment bill

    The pro-business, Attractive Investment Environment Bill, was Tuesday passed by the Senate.

    The passage of the repeal and re-enactment of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), is perhaps the biggest business reform bill in the country in over 28 years.

    The passage of the Bill, heralds a new dawn for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) development in Nigeria, as the country will now join a select group of countries with attractive investment environments.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, who spoke about the Bill, noted that the passage of CAMA was a significant milestone in the 8th Senate’s legislative agenda.

    Saraki said, “With the passage of CAMA, which is by far the biggest and one of the most far-reaching legislation ever passed in any legislature in our country, we have now put in place a regulatory framework to promote the ease of doing business and reduce regulatory hurdles.

    “This is a pro-business law. This bill that we have just passed will show the audacity that we have to move Nigerian businesses into a new era of success and development.”

    Read Also: 2018 budget: Senate, Reps, request N2bn more for Tourism sector

    If signed into law, the new Bill will help to make country’s business environment as competitive as its counterparts around the world.

    It also “allow business owners to register their businesses in a faster and more efficient way by using technology; removes all the unnecessary regulatory provisions , such as the requirement for ‘annual general meetings’ and ‘company secretaries’; and reduces the minimum share capital for all companies and start-ups in Nigeria — which will encourage more investments and create new jobs.”

    “CAMA will also creates the ‘LLP’ (Limited Liability Partnership) which is a new form of legal identity for businesses in Nigeria that is targeted at increasing foreign investment in the country; as well as guarantees that Nigerians will be able to register their businesses from anywhere in the country through the e-Registration system that the Senate’s amendment gives legal backing.

    “We are truly now walking the talk,” the President of the Senate said, “With the passage of CAMA, we are saying to the rest of the world that Nigeria is ready for business and the government of Nigeria is ready to support small scale industries to promote innovations, and encourage enterprise.

    “It will not have been done without the effort of all my colleagues.  I thank you for this great day in showing that truly the National Assembly is here in support of Nigerians to create an environment that enables them to be able to create business and seek opportunities,” Saraki said.

  • CBN only apex bank without a board, says Sani

    The Senator representing Kaduna Central Shehu Sani, Wednesday said that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is the only apex bank in Africa without a board.

    The vocal senator appealed to his colleagues to take immediate steps to screen and approve nominated board members of the CBN.

    Sani said, “I stand here to make a personal appeal, an appeal to the conscience and support of this Senate over the issue of the central bank of Nigeria.

    “Mr. President, Nigeria Central Bank is the only central bank in the whole of Africa without a board.

    “And when you don’t have board, you limit the ability and capacity of the management of that institution that have a pivotal role to play in our economy to manage the affairs of banks for it to function properly.

    “The CBN is the most important economic fulcrum of our country. I can understand that we collectively here stood to make a position to suspend the screening of nominees but I think we should look at the issue of the CBN critically.

    “We can appreciate the fact that it has made some progress – progress in terms of stabilizing the economy, progress in terms of stabilizing the naira, and also progress in terms of appreciating our foreign reserve.

    “But we should be mindful that our work as a Senate will be lessened if we have a board that can perform an institutional oversight to ensure that the bank is run according to due process and according to the best standard both nationally and internationally.

    “The CBN board should be screened in the interest of transparency and probity so that we can truly know what is going on within the bank and we can be properly briefed that the management of the bank can be able to function.

    The absence of a board has made it impossible for the bank to function and to also do its duty as other banks do within the continent and beyond. I appeal that the Senate should look into the need to screen and approve the board of this bank in the interest of our economy to that we can have a proper documentation and knowledge of what is going on within the bank

    “It is the time to hold the executive to account,”

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki promised that the matter will be looked into.

    Read Also:CBN boosts foreign exchange market with $210m

  • Invasion: Panel may impose more sanctions on Omo-Agege

    The Senate may have concluded arrangements to impose fresh sanctions on suspended Delta Central senator, Ovie Omo-Agege, over his alleged role in the invasion of the Senate chamber by thugs.

    This is coming as the upper chamber Tuesday referred the report of its panel on the investigation of the April 18 invasion to the chamber to the Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition Committee to review.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Monday met President Muhammadu Buhari over the invasion, the alleged ill treatment of Senator Dino Melaye by the police and the 2018 budget.

    After the invasion, Saraki on April 25 constituted an adhoc committee chaired by Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah to investigate the circumstances that led to the incident.

    The committee was given two weeks to report back to the Senate in plenary for further action

    Saraki Tuesday announced that the Na’Allah led adhoc committee had concluded its assignment.

    He further told the Senate that the report of the adhoc committee had been assigned to the committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to scrutinize and make recommendations for more legislative action.

    Saraki said, “The report on the invasion of the Senate is ready. It has been given to the Senate committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions. The committee is to review the report and come up with recommendations for the consideration of the Senate.”

    Sources close to the leadership of the Senate noted that “there is no doubt that Senator Omo-Agege will be in for more trouble following the perceived role he was said to have played in the invasion of the Senate chamber.

    The source said that “Omo-Agege may not escape the recommendation that he should proceed on indefinite suspension.”

    According to the source, “the role of Omo-Agege during and after the invasion of the hallowed chamber of the Senate was too glaring to be ignored.”

    Findings further showed that security agents said to have found “culpable” during the invasion would not be scolded.

    Some of the security personnel, he said, will be redeployed “for dereliction of duty.”

    He said that the committee is also expected to come up with ways and means to strengthen security in and around the National Assembly.

    On the masked operatives of the Department of State Security Service (DSS) which took over the internal security of the National Assembly last week, he said that the development was part of the new security architecture in the National Assembly which may be permanent.

    Read Also:Omo-Agege takes Senate, AGF to court